A way of life
When you become a student at the University of Chicago, you join a campus community alive with friendship and intellectual energy. UChicago’s seven residence halls contain 48 Houses, each sharing rooms clustered around House common areas within the residence hall. The Houses have 80 students on average—though they can range from 60 to 100 students—from all four years in the College, all around the world, and all areas of study. Each House has its own traditions, its own House Council, and its own resident staff. Weekly House meetings, study breaks, and trips bring students together for cultural activities, fundraising, intramural sports, and trips to downtown or through Chicago’s myriad neighborhoods.
Campus dining also plays a central role in community life at UChicago, and each House also has a dedicated table in one of four dining halls.
Community Life
Housing & Residence Life gives students both the structure and the freedom to build a comfortable and exciting life as part of a community. Houses are the setting of both informal community time—impromptu study sessions, video game tournaments, or board game nights—and planned activities. Students decide together what activities the House will do, so you are certain to have new experiences you'd never have discovered on your own. If you have never jumped in a lake at sunrise, played Whirlyball, ice-skated in the shadow of skyscrapers, or run (literally!) to brunch, you can do it with your Housemates. Along the way, you'll make good friends you probably would never have met otherwise.
Resident Staff
Resident Heads
Resident Heads are advanced graduate students, faculty, or University staff who reside in each of the Houses. They and their families open their homes to House meetings, cheer on the House’s teams, host study breaks (with free food!), and are there to support and provide resources to all students.
Resident Assistants
Resident Assistants (RAs), who are usually third- or fourth-year students, also live in the House. As advanced students, RAs know the ropes around campus and offer younger students the benefit of their experience.
Resident Deans
Resident Deans are senior faculty who strive to make the intellectual life of the University and the cultural life of Chicago part of the daily lives of their student residents. They host community-wide events like dinners, receptions, outings to the symphony or the opera, and informal discussions with luminaries from all corners of University.
Residence Halls
Seven residence halls offer students a variety of living options. Each hall takes on a unique culture while maintaining a sense of community. Whether you're tucked away in a neo-gothic quadrangle or gazing out a wide modern window, you'll feel right at home